The Real Deal About Film School & Film Jobs
Will Film School Help You Get Film Jobs?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo. Getting film jobs is like getting in line at a HUGE U2 CONCERT. How do you get film jobs? You get in line. There are literally thousands of people trying to get film jobs. And the people hiring do not care if you went to film school. They care about your other film jobs. So what is every film school graduate in the world trying to do after they graduate? GET AN ENTRY LEVEL FILM JOB.. so they can start building their resume. So what kind of amazing, creative jobs are available for film school graduates?
Getting coffee and being a gopher are the best film jobs a film school graduate can expect
Check out this job right here in LA, right off of Craigslist. Now imagine hundreds of USC, NYU, and other film school grads clamoring for this opportunity:
Eye opening isn’t it? These are the coveted skills that film productions are looking for in fresh film school grads: the ability to drive someone to the set. The joke is that the DP of this movie is probably someone who never went to film school and just started working in the business.
If you actually want to make a movie, or have a chance of getting some film jobs, get your butt on a movie set right now! If you’re not sure how, check out Film School Secrets Membership Area. We’ll show you how to start networking with real filmmakers no matter where you live in the world, and even better, we’ll show you how to get film students to work for you even if you have never touched a camera! Because the sad fact is, there are tons more film students looking to get film jobs than there are jobs available. And going to film school doesn’t give you an advantage, it sets you back behind people who are enterprising and just start working.
Listen to our Exclusive Interview with Buz Wallick: He’s Had Film Jobs Since He Was 16 Years Old With No Film School
People like Buz Wallick, who I met through the internet (no film school required). Buz is 22 years old and has had film jobs since he was 16 years old! How did he learn? We interviewed him for Film School Secrets. Get the full interview and real film career training here, The basics are this: pick up a camera and start shooting, don’t wait for a diploma to start looking for film jobs!
Reading this article has help me understand a few things my ‘naive-self’ didn’t know. However, I still have some doubts. It’s normal, I know, but I just finished high school and decided to take the rest of the year as college-free to figure out what I really want to do (to go to a film school or just skip it). My first choice was to go to NYFA until people on Twitter started telling me why I shouldn’t go there or any film school in general (but especially NYFA). One of my great doubts was “The film industry is all about experience, right? They notice you because of the works you’ve done not the credits you got in college, but how do I learn how to write a script? Or shoot a film? What about lights and sound?”. Then my major concern was that even if I did learn this things in a film school or by myself, getting someone to hire me is not going to be that easy as everyone in a film school says it is. Getting connections inside the industry is important as well, I gather, my mother even told me that if I went to a film school I could meet people who are the cousin or sister or son of whomever is important in the higher chain. I ask myself if it’s really worth it, wasting a lot of money to go to a film school just to meet people, and most of the time the answer is no, however when the answer is yes it is because there is this nagging thought in my mind that keeps telling me ‘maybe something good will turn out from it’.
I do want to make a career inside the film industry, if only because I’m very passionate about film in general, but I’m at a loss here. I would really like a suggestion or opinion, please.
Thanks for the articles, though! They’ve really helped clearing some doubts
I completely agree with you. Going to film school specifically an expensive film school is just a waste of your time and money. You can gain the same experience and learn the same things at a Community College and gain the same contacts. The film industry like any other industry puts a lot of importance on experience so going to film school is just going to hinder you in this. You need to either volunteer on a film set if you are trying to get into the production side or do independent or student films if you are trying to become an actor. You just need to get yourself out there and network.
Reading this article has help me understand a few things my ‘naive-self’ didn’t know. However, I still have some doubts. It’s normal, I know, but I just finished high school and decided to take the rest of the year as college-free to figure out what I really want to do (to go to a film school or just skip it). My first choice was to go to NYFA until people on Twitter started telling me why I shouldn’t go there or any film school in general (but especially NYFA). One of my great doubts was “The film industry is all about experience, right? They notice you because of the works you’ve done not the credits you got in college, but how do I learn how to write a script? Or shoot a film? What about lights and sound?”. Then my major concern was that even if I did learn this things in a film school or by myself, getting someone to hire me is not going to be that easy as everyone in a film school says it is. Getting connections inside the industry is important as well, I gather, my mother even told me that if I went to a film school I could meet people who are the cousin or sister or son of whomever is important in the higher chain. I ask myself if it’s really worth it, wasting a lot of money to go to a film school just to meet people, and most of the time the answer is no, however when the answer is yes it is because there is this nagging thought in my mind that keeps telling me ‘maybe something good will turn out from it’.
I do want to make a career inside the film industry, if only because I’m very passionate about film in general, but I’m at a loss here. I would really like a suggestion or opinion, please.
+1
Hi Sheli,
I created this site and the course to answer those exact questions. Other than telling you to read books on filmmaking, pick up a camera and start shooting movies, and getting on real film sets, there’s not quick advice to give. I suggest you check out my course and go through the 8 modules and you will find detailed answers to these questions so you can start taking action and working towards your goals.
However, going to film school just because something “good might come of it” is ludicrous in my opinion, unless you are very very wealthy. If your goal is to meet people, then do so online or by getting on film sets. Or, a great alternative is to do a film workshop or program at a community college. My issue isn’t with film schools per se; it’s great to get a camera, meet other filmmakers and have fun doing it. The issue is with the insane price tags.
Ultimately, the main message of my course is that “hoping something good happens” is what most film school grads do, and it leads nowhere. You need to get experience, figure out what you want, and have a plan. Any plan will do, so long as you get clear and focused and you will arrive there. Best of luck!
Seth
Thank you for showing my son’s (Ricardo Casco) first music video film. I am a Civil Engineer and of course have been pushing him to go to College. Thank you for your website, it has really opened my eyes, it’s what Ricardo has been telling me for over a year.
Ricardo started his career in the film industry 4 years ago when he was 14 and has dedicated hours to learning by himself. Perhaps his years of doing Homeschooling helped him to research on his own, I don’t know. Watching through the years made me realize that if I would have gone to film school and learned all that a film school can teach you, I would not be able to do what he does, because he has a God given gift.
I think this industry is totally different from what I’m used to, you have to have the gift, the natural touch, the God given talent, the rest are just tools and like you say on your website, they can be acquired for much less money that what these schools offer.
By the way, watch his trailer in the movie they are making called live for today and vote for it in the international film festival, it’s awesome
Thanks for the note. It’s been my mission to let parents realize the reality behind these schools so they don’t feel their kids are missing out. Ricardo is quite talented, but I think he has his home schooling to thank for his enterprising character. If more kids were taught to think outside the box the world would be a better place. What is the link to Ricardo’s video?
Seth
Hi!
I’m also thinking to go to film school. I already found one which has a very practical programme it’s the London Film School in London(UK). But price is just killing me!!! I would take a student loan BUT there is no guarantee that I can get one in UK cos I’m not the UK or EU resident…
But I feel that without any high education after some time.. I’ll feel shame that I don’t have a degree… probably u gonna say that that’s stupid but when my kids will ask me if I have a real education it’ll be a shame to say that I don’t…
And my parents won’t be glad to know that their’s daughter couldn’t get any degree.. that’s sad.. that’s what I worry most of.. cos I know that I can learn filmmaking in many different ways…
So we all have doubts. But even if I won’t be able to go to this school I’m gonna take their’s workshops cos those tutors are really experienced…
Hi Valerie,
There is absolutely no shame in not having a degree. A degree has become a social ego trip that really means nothing. Please check out the site http://www.dontgotocollege.com and uncollege.org. If you go to school go because you genuinely want to learn about whatever topic you are studying and it will actually help you create a career you love; don’t go because you think you should or you aren’t good enough if you don’t. Your kids won’t care. They’re your kids!
And the idea that college is a “real” education is nonsense. Take it from me, and honors grad from NYU. It’s a lot of pomp and ego trips.
You’ll learn more from getting on a real film set and working with a real filmmaker than taking a course. And it costs less!
Best,
Seth
I hear people always say that after film school it didnt help them get a job because they made no useful contacts. By getting a PA job to get a foot in the door and gain connections. Can this program also help gain connections?
Thanks
Yes. First, we show you how to connect with working filmmakers near you and get on film sets. There’s not much mystery to this; get on one film set and you’ll make more connections than you ever will in school. One of my recent students just hooked up with a local production house and has an internship leading to a job all from some simple coaching from the course. Second, you can get in touch with Buz, Jason, Brooks, and a number of other working people in the business who are connected with the course.
“Connections” is a broad term that has been misinterpreted. So just to clarify, this program will not hook you up with Spielberg level executives, agents, or producers. Those connections are earned long after you’ve demonstrated your talent/ability to create good content.
We also talk about what “foot in the door” really means in this business, because it is also a misconstrued term. The Chris Rock clip is great because the Jamie Kennedy character in the clip, a film school grad grabbing coffee, is the kind of thing you get when you do get the classic “foot in the door”. Those entry level gigs within the studio system are typically menial jobs that don’t directly relate to directing or filmmaking.
Really getting your “foot in the door”, from our view, is learning how to network and connect with other working professionals and position yourself as a creative professional from day one. So you start off like a Tarantino or Kevin Smith and don’t try to kiss ass and hope somebody notices you or gives you a handout.
Let me know if this is helpful.
Seth